Priscilla H. "Sibby" Lenze

Priscilla H. “Sibby” Lenze, 84, of Johnsonburg, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Penn Highlands Elk.

She was born April 21, 1940, in Hartford, CT, daughter of the late Russell and Ruth McMillan Hunter.  She was a graduate of Wethersfield High School, Class of 1958 and continued her education at the Boston Museum School.  She focused her career around her passion of jewelry design and was a Goldsmith Extraordinaire. 

On February 12, 1994, in Evanston, IL, Sibby married the love of her life, Mark D. Lenze, who survives. 

In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Bowden (Doug) of Jacksonville, FL; her son, Alex Gillmor of Chicago, IL; two step-daughters: Janel Roback (Thomas) of Manassas, VA and Kelly Schulz (Scott) of Virginia Beach, VA; a step-son, Christopher Lenze (Summer) of Orange Beach, AL; twelve grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and her brother, James Hunter of Harrisburg.

In addition to her parents, Sibby was preceded in death by two brothers, Russell “Russ” Hunter, Jr., and John Hunter.

Before she came to Elk County, she had a jewelry store in Evanston, IL for forty-five years.  While there, she had satellite stores in St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Beverly Hills.  In 1995, she moved to the area with her husband, Mark.  She and Mark opened a jewelry store called the Mermaid’s Purse in St. Marys in conjunction with their store on State Street, Shadows of the Past, which continues to be in operation today.  Through competitions from the DeBeers Diamond Group, she won several international awards.  Some of Sibby’s creative works can still be found at her and Mark’s store, Shadows of the Past.

Funeral services for Sibby will be announced at a future date.